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Welcome to Sunshine Stance: Florida’s Elected Officials on Israel, a dedicated section of our website that highlights the positions and activities of Florida’s elected officials regarding their support for Israel.

We invite you to dive in and discover the stances of Florida’s elected officials on Israel and their contributions to strengthening the bonds between these two nations.

Click on the photos below to explore the profiles of Florida’s Senators and Representatives at the state and federal levels, and learn about their voting records, statements, and activities related to Israel.

Thank you for visiting Sunshine Stance, and we hope this section will serve as a valuable resource for you in your exploration of Florida’s political landscape and its relationship with Israel.

Federal Elected Officials

U.S. Senate

Senator Marco Rubio

Senator Rick Scott

U.S. House of Representatives

Explore our interactive map to find your representative in Florida’s congressional delegation. Simply click on your district to learn more about your elected official and their stance on Israel. This user-friendly tool is designed to help you easily locate and connect with the representative who serves your area.

Representative Aaron Bean

Representative Gus M. Bilirakis

Representative Vern Buchanan

Representative Kat Cammack

Representative Kathy Castor

 

Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Representative Mario Diaz-Balart

Representative Byron Donalds

Name: Byron L. Donalds
Party: Republican
State: Florida
Position: U.S. Representative
District: 19th
Term: 2021 – Present
Website: https://donalds.house.gov/

Biography:

Byron L. Donalds was born on October 28, 1978, in Brooklyn, New York. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing from Florida State University. Before entering Congress, Donalds served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. In 2020, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida’s 19th district.

Support for Israel:

Since taking office, Representative Byron Donalds has shown support for Israel and the U.S.-Israel alliance. He has expressed the importance of maintaining a strong partnership between the two countries and has backed key legislation that bolsters Israel’s security.

Key Pro-Israel Actions and Legislation:

  • United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2021 (H.R. 1837): Representative Donalds co-sponsored this legislation, which aimed to authorize security assistance to Israel for the fiscal years 2022-2026 and ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.
  • Public Statements: In interviews and public statements, Representative Donalds has expressed his support for the U.S.-Israel relationship and recognized Israel’s right to self-defense.
  • Support for the Abraham Accords: Donalds has praised the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab countries, as an important step towards peace and stability in the Middle East.

Representative Neal Dunn

Name: Neal Patrick Dunn
Party: Republican
State: Florida
Position: U.S. Representative
District: 2nd
Term: 2017 – Present
Website: https://dunn.house.gov/

Biography:
Neal Patrick Dunn was born on February 16, 1953, in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington and Lee University and went on to receive his Medical Doctor degree from George Washington University School of Medicine. Before entering Congress, Dunn had a successful career as a urologist and served as an Army surgeon. In 2016, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida’s 2nd district.

Support for Israel:
Throughout his tenure in Congress, Representative Neal Dunn has consistently shown support for Israel and the U.S.-Israel alliance. He has co-sponsored key pro-Israel legislation and has emphasized the importance of the partnership between the two countries in terms of security, shared values, and economic cooperation.

Key Pro-Israel Actions and Legislation:

  • United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2021 (H.R. 1837): Representative Dunn co-sponsored this legislation, which aimed to authorize security assistance to Israel for the fiscal years 2022-2026 and ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.
  • Combating BDS Act of 2017 (H.R. 2856): Dunn co-sponsored this bill, which sought to allow state and local governments to divest from entities that engage in BDS activities targeting Israel.
  • Opposition to the Iran Nuclear Deal: Representative Dunn has criticized the Iran nuclear deal and advocated for a more comprehensive and effective approach to address the Iranian threat, citing concerns for Israel’s security and regional stability.
  • Public Statements: In interviews and public statements, Representative Dunn has expressed his support for the U.S.-Israel relationship and recognized Israel’s right to self-defense.

Representative Lois Frankel

Name: Lois J. Frankel
Party: Democratic
State: Florida
Position: U.S. Representative
District: 21st
Term: 2013 – Present
Website: https://frankel.house.gov/

Biography:
Lois J. Frankel was born on May 20, 1948, in New York City, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston University and went on to receive her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center. Prior to entering Congress, Frankel served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1986 to 2003, including two years as the Minority Leader. She also served as the Mayor of West Palm Beach from 2003 to 2011. In 2012, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida’s 21st district.

Support for Israel:

Throughout her time in Congress, Representative Lois Frankel has been a consistent supporter of Israel and the U.S.-Israel alliance. She has co-sponsored important pro-Israel legislation, participated in delegations to Israel, and emphasized the significance of the relationship between the two countries in terms of shared values, security, and economic cooperation. However, her support for the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) in 2015 has drawn criticism from some who argue that the deal posed risks to Israel’s security and stability in the region.

Key Pro-Israel Actions and Legislation:

  • United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2021 (H.R. 1837): Representative Frankel co-sponsored this legislation, which aimed to authorize security assistance to Israel for the fiscal years 2022-2026 and ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.
  • Combating BDS Act of 2019 (H.R. 336): Frankel co-sponsored this bill, which sought to allow state and local governments to divest from entities that engage in BDS activities targeting Israel.
  • Bipartisan Delegations to Israel: Representative Frankel has participated in multiple bipartisan congressional delegations to Israel, demonstrating her commitment to fostering strong U.S.-Israel relations.
  • Public Statements: In interviews and public statements, Representative Frankel has expressed her support for the U.S.-Israel relationship and recognized Israel’s right to self-defense.

Representative Scott Franklin

Name: Scott Franklin
Party: Republican
State: Florida
Position: U.S. Representative
District: 15th
Term: 2021 – Present
Website: https://franklin.house.gov/

Biography:
Scott Franklin was born on December 16, 1963, in Lakeland, Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and later received an MBA from the University of Florida. Franklin served as a naval aviator in the U.S. Navy for 26 years before retiring as a Captain. After his military service, he worked in the insurance and finance industry. Prior to being elected to Congress, Franklin served as a city commissioner in Lakeland. In 2020, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida’s 15th district.

Support for Israel:
Throughout his time in Congress, Representative Scott Franklin has shown support for Israel and the U.S.-Israel alliance. As a member of the Republican Party, Franklin aligns with the party’s general stance on promoting strong ties between the United States and Israel, as well as ensuring Israel’s security and right to self-defense.

Key Pro-Israel Actions and Legislation:

  • Public Statements: Representative Franklin has made public statements supporting Israel’s right to self-defense and condemning attacks against the Jewish state.
  • Signing of Pro-Israel Letters: Franklin has signed on to letters in Congress that emphasize the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship and advocate for the continued support of Israel’s security and stability.

Representative Maxwell Frost

Name: Maxwell Frost
Party: Democratic
State: Florida
Position: U.S. Representative
District: 10th
Term: 2023 – Present
Website: https://frost.house.gov/

Biography:
Maxwell Alejandro Frost was born in Orlando, Florida. At 25 years old, he is one of the youngest members of Congress and the first from Generation Z. Frost has a background in gun safety activism and has worked as an organizer with the American Civil Liberties Union as well as several political campaigns. He announced his bid for Congress in August 2022, running to succeed Rep. Val Demings in Florida’s 10th Congressional District. Frost has stated his intention to complete his college degree while serving in Congress.

Support for Israel and the Jewish Community:

Representative Maxwell Frost identifies as both “pro-Israel” and “pro-Palestinian,” advocating for a balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He supports a two-state solution and seeks to promote peace in the region. However, some critics have raised concerns about Frost’s stance on the Iran nuclear deal. While he has expressed support for reentering the deal, he also calls for a “longer, stronger, and broader” agreement that addresses Iran’s destabilizing actions in the region. Critics argue that this stance may not sufficiently address the potential threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions and could complicate diplomatic efforts.

Key Pro-Israel Actions and Positions:

  • Public Statements: Frost has expressed support for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, while also emphasizing the need to ensure the dignity and humanity of the Palestinian people.
  • Position Paper: In a detailed position paper, Frost outlines his stance on Middle East issues, including his opposition to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and his support for continued military assistance to Israel.
  • Taylor Force Act: Frost advocates for robust U.S. assistance to the Palestinian people, in compliance with the Taylor Force Act, which serves an essential role in meeting Palestinian humanitarian needs.
  • Abraham Accords: Frost supports the expansion of the Abraham Accords, while also emphasizing that true peace in the region can only be achieved by addressing the core issues at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Representative Matt Gaetz

Name: Matt Gaetz
Party: Republican
State: Florida
Position: U.S. Representative
District: 1st
Term: 2017 – Present
Website: https://gaetz.house.gov/

Biography:
Matt Gaetz was born on May 7, 1982, in Hollywood, Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science from Florida State University and later received a Juris Doctor from the College of William & Mary Law School. Before being elected to Congress, Gaetz served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016. In 2016, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida’s 1st district.

Support for Israel:
Throughout his time in Congress, Representative Matt Gaetz has shown strong support for Israel and the U.S.-Israel alliance. As a member of the Republican Party, Gaetz aligns with the party’s general stance on promoting strong ties between the United States and Israel, as well as ensuring Israel’s security and right to self-defense.

Key Pro-Israel Actions and Legislation:

  • Public Statements: Representative Gaetz has made public statements supporting Israel’s right to self-defense and condemning attacks against the Jewish state. He has also criticized the Iran nuclear deal, arguing that it is not sufficient to address the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
  • Signing of Pro-Israel Letters: Gaetz has signed on to letters in Congress that emphasize the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship and advocate for the continued support of Israel’s security and stability.
  • Legislative Actions: Representative Gaetz has supported legislation aimed at bolstering Israel’s security, including measures to provide military aid and strengthen the U.S.-Israel partnership in areas such as technology, energy, and defense.
  • Criticism of Iran Nuclear Deal: Matt Gaetz has been critical of the Iran nuclear deal, expressing concerns that the agreement does not adequately address the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program and its destabilizing activities in the region. He has called for a more comprehensive and robust approach to dealing with Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its support for terrorism.

This page is currently under construction. We will be updating it soon with profiles of the remaining Florida delegation members. Stay tuned!

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